By Todd Hatton / Associated Press
Frankfort, KY – The Cabinet for Health and Family Services says retailers in Kentucky are doing a good job of keeping tobacco products out of the hands of minors. An annual survey conducted by the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control found that more than 94 percent of retailers surveyed upheld the state law banning sale of tobacco products to people younger than 18. States are required to conduct the survey each year and show that compliance by retailers is at least 80 percent. The agency says Kentucky's rate has been around 94 percent since 2003. The national average for 2009 was 89 percent. States that fall below compliance are subject to a penalty of 40 percent of federal grants for substance abuse prevention and treatment.